First Reloads, need powder selection help. .223

[P-32]

Well after much research I decided to go with Varget. The fact that it is more insensitive to temp. has overridden it being more difficult to meter. I just wanted to thank everyone for there help. Hopefully I'll have some good groups to post in the future.

Thanks,
.308

Varget is a good powder, but if you are willing to work with it, you have to try Reloader 15 too. I would do work ups using both CCI BR's and Remington 7 1/2's.

 

[DBR]

H335 is temperature sensitive; enough so that Hodgdon tech service told me not to use max loads at temps more than about 30 degrees warmer than my original work ups. They also told me H335 worked up at normal summer temps would shoot 100-200fps slower at 0-20 degrees.

I like H335 and use it with Hornady 55gr military style bullets but only in the summer with temps in the 60-90 degree range and I don't leave the ammo or loaded mags (AR15) out in the sun. Overly cautious? Maybe, but I believe what the "man from Hodgdon" told me.

I have settled on H332 for bullets up to 55gr (Hodgdon's recommendation) and TAC for everything heavier. TAC also generally gets the highest velocities among the available powders with the heavier bullets and SAAMI pressures.

The top match shooters are pretty unanimous about using VV135 or VV140 for absolute max accuracy with match quality bullets.

 

[DBR]

.308 garand

You should invest in the Sierra reloading manual. They have a complete section on loads for 223 bolt guns and their loads are tested in real rifles, not test barrels.

Much other useful info and their load data does not seem the be "lawyered down" like many of the other manufacturers' recent data.

 

[.308 garand]

DBR thanks for the advise. I ordered the Sierra manual from Midway yesterday along with some other items and it should be here tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

.308

 

[DBR]

Glad I could be of assistance. Good luck and be careful.

 

[halvey]

Varget.

 

[Bullet]

You can go here and get Sierra’s data for 223 & 308 free –

http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html